Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith invited retired LB Brian Urlacher to visit training camp. "Brian is a family member for life," Smith said. "I've had the privilege to be around a lot of great players, any great player I've been around is always welcome wherever I am. We're trying to build something here football-wise, and I'm going to call on the Brian Urlachers of the world, and of course all our former Bucs around here. Derrick Brooks will tell you I've been in his ear quite a bit, got a chance to text with John Lynch yesterday... anytime you can have players around your current roster that have been through our system and know what it takes, it's a good thing. I will always be inviting any old player that I've been around."

Retired LB Brian Urlacher said he considered the possibility of becoming a coach but does not think he would be a good coach. "First of all, I don't want to spend the time coaching. I feel bad for them. During the season, they work 90 hours a week. I don't want to do that," Urlacher said.

Retired LB Brian Urlacher said the Dallas Cowboys were one of the team's that intrigued him if he were to have signed with another team other than the Chicago Bears. "If I could have picked a spot, it would have been Dallas," Urlacher said. "(The Cowboys) run our defense. They took our D-coordinator (Rod Marinelli). That would have been ideal. But they have two really good young linebackers."

Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery said Wednesday, May 15, that it was "less likely than more likely" that the team would try to re-sign free-agent LB Brian Urlacher (Bears), citing that the team has made investment in other players.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier said the team isn't pursuing free-agent MLB Brian Urlacher (Bears) right now. They plan to give LB Erin Henderson every opportunity to win the middle linebacker job. "Brian has been a great player in our league for a long, long time," Frazier said. "He was a thorn in our side for many years. At this point we want to look at the guys on our roster, give them a chance to compete for the middle linebacker position then we'll see where it takes us."

Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery said Tuesday, April 16, that he "absolutely" had no regrets over how the club handled the negotiations with free-agent LB Brian Urlacher (Bears). "It was a very straightforward process," Emery said. "We had a very honest and open exchange between Brian and his representatives, his agents. There was no lack of clarity. There were no surprises during this period."

Chicago Bears team chairman George McCaskey indicated Wednesday, April 3, that the team might be open to a return for free-agent LB Brian Urlacher (Bears). "I talked to him. He was very gracious. I wanted to wait a little bit because I figured there would be a little emotion," McCaskey said. "But Brian knows how we feel about him. He's one of the all-time great Bears. He's continued the outstanding linebacker legacy of the Bears. He's going to be in the Hall of Fame, and when he is, everyone is going to think of him as a Chicago Bear."

If the Chicago Bears are unable to work out a deal to bring back free-agent LB Brian Urlacher (Bears), that would leave LB Lance Briggs as the only starter remaining from last season which is under contract in 2013.

The departure of LB Nick Roach to the Oakland Raiders could help the team's effort to bring back free-agent LB Brian Urlacher, although it is still not a slam dunk he'll return. The team still needs Urlacher to agree to a return at a price favorable to the team. "He's part of the group of players that we have to work through and come to a final conclusion (on)," general manager Phil Emery said Friday, March 15. "That (process) will be (handled) with Brian and his agents."

Free-agent LB Brian Urlacher (Bears) has been in contact with the Minnesota Vikings, and a team source with the Vikings confirmed the talks. The team said they are "monitoring" the situation and still believed Urlacher would eventually return to the Chicago Bears.

Negotiations between impending free-agent LB Brian Urlacher and the Chicago Bears are in a holding pattern. The agents for Urlacher submitted a contract proposal to the organization Thursday, March 7, and await a counter offer, according to a report from WFLD-FOX 32 in Chicago.

Impending free-agent LB Brian Urlacher (Bears) is apparently preparing to play his 14th NFL season, posting a photo on his official Twitter account with a message that read, "Can't wait for the season to start -- BU #gettingitdone." Head coach Marc Trestman and general manager Phil Emery have not publicly let on one way or the other which way they are leaning as far as bringing Urlacher back. However, the apparent feeling within the organization is that Urlacher remains an important piece on defense and worthy of another contract with the club.

Chicago Bears LB Brian Urlacher is still a huge question mark for the Bears this offseason. Urlacher is interested in returning to the Bears, but would likely have to return at a reduced salary. The Bears will also be playing a new scheme in 2013, and that could impact Urlacher's value.

Impending free-agent LB Brian Urlacher (Bears) said Tuesday, Jan. 29, that he intends to play in 2013, and he is hopeful he will be back with the Bears. He said he has not heard anything from the team regarding his future. "Chicago is my home. Whether I play for the Bears or not, that's my home," Urlacher said. "So I want to be there and hopefully we can work something out, but if not I'll go somewhere else." Urlacher said money was not a top priority for him, and give his age and recent injury history, he said he'd be willing to give the Bears a hometown discount.

Chicago Bears LB Brian Urlacher said he has not spoken to Bears general manager Marc Trestman or anyone else in a decision making role with the team. Urlacher is set to become a free agent this summer and has said he wants to continue playing, preferably with the Bears. "The Bears have been busy," Uralcher said. "They have more important things to take care of right now. I'll let that fall into place and see what happens."

Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman deferred to general manager Phil Emery when asked to comment about the future of LB Brian Urlacher with the team. "I recognize certainly what he has meant to this locker room and to the fan base," Trestman said. "When we get done here, we'll try to answer some of those questions."

Chicago Bears LB Brian Urlacher said he wants to stay with the Chicago Bears, even though he is a free-agent and had said he would only play for former head coach Lovie Smith. "I feel like I'm a Bear, no matter what happens," Urlacher said. "I want to be here. ... I still don't want to play for anybody else, and I'll keep saying that until it happens, I guess."